The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has directed all Municipal, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives and Coordinating Directors in the region to strictly enforce sanitation bylaws in their respective areas.
Addressing assembly staff in the Nzema East Municipality during a working visit, he emphasized that under his tenure, the region must not experience a recurrence of the tragic 2024 cholera outbreak, which resulted in loss of lives.
Following a cholera outbreak in December 2024 that claimed 16 lives and affected over 1,700 people in the Western Region, the Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has called for a strict enforcement of sanitation bylaws across all municipal and district assemblies in the region.
During a working visit to the Nzema East Municipality, he stated his administration’s priority to prevent another such outbreak.
“I must caution everyone that the 2024 cholera outbreak cannot be repeated. Under my leadership, I expect zero tolerance for such public health failures. We are fully aware that outbreaks are caused by lapses in sanitary practices. It is our collective duty to meet, plan, and enforce the cleanliness required to protect our communities. I will not preside over another outbreak. Let us act decisively, for when cholera strikes, it spares no one,” he stated.
Mr. Nelson also cautioned against the indiscriminate siting of structures and urged the assemblies to ensure all structures are situated in approved locations.
“Looking at the indiscriminate siting of structures today as we traveled through from Ahanta West, we saw wetlands being filled along the roadside.
The question is: Is the Assembly aware of this? And if so, why has it been allowed? As a nation, we all appreciate beautiful, well-planned environments. That is why it is essential for those in positions of responsibility to ensure structures are correctly and lawfully sited,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Nzema East Municipal Chief Executive, Herbert Kua Dickson, says a severe shortage of office space and logistics are undermining effective service delivery in the municipality.
“Despite our collective efforts, the Assembly continues to face several significant challenges that affect service delivery. Among these are inadequate office space and logistics for departments and sub-zonal structures. Many departments are forced to operate in congested, poorly furnished, or temporary offices, which are not conducive to effective work.
This environment leads to low productivity, a lack of privacy, and difficulties with proper record-keeping. These constraints collectively affect staff morale, slow administrative processes, and ultimately limit the Assembly’s ability to deliver timely and quality services to the public,” he bemoaned.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
